Wind Farms: Capacity

Lord Hardy of Wath: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the total generation capacity of existing wind farms in the United Kingdom; and what additional capacity they expect will be provided by those which are currently proposed.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: As at 31 December 1999, 302 wind energy projects had been contracted under the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO) with an overall capacity of 1154MW (Declared Net Capacity), of which 66 projects with a total capacity of 149MW DNC have actually been commissioned.

Timber Products: Dumping

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have evidence that any exports from Russia or the Baltic States to the United Kingdom of timber and timber products constitute "dumping"; and, if so, what action they are taking.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Complaints of dumping are investigated, and decisions on any anti-dumping measures are taken, at the Community level. If they have evidence of dumping, it is for the industry, if they so wish, to approach the European Commission. Anti-dumping measures are currently in force on imports into the Community of hardboard originating in a number of countries, including Russia and the Baltic States.

Railtrack (Waverley Station) Order Confirmation Bill

Lord Dubs: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether a statement has been made under the Human Rights Act 1998 in connection with the Railtrack (Waverley Station) Order Confirmation Bill.

Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale: I have made a statement under Section 19(1)(a) of the Human Rights Act 1998 that, in my view, the provisions of the Railtrack (Waverley Station) Order Confirmation Bill are compatible with the convention rights. A copy of the statement has been placed in the Library of the House.

Millennium Dome: Funding Requirements

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment they have made of the future funding requirements of the Dome.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: On 22 May the Millennium Commission approved an additional grant of £29 million to the New Millennium Experience Company. The decision was taken following a review of NMEC's revised budget and business plan, which was commissioned in the light of lower than previously forecast visitor numbers. The Government and the Millennium Commission will continue to monitor NMEC's budget and business plans.

Millennium Dome Additional Funding: Direction

Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has issued any letter of direction to officials in connection with the financing of the Dome, whether as Secretary of State or as Chairman of the Millennium Commission.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: At a Millennium Commission meeting on 22 May, the Director of the Commission, Mike O'Connor advised the Commissioners that, in terms of the issues he was allowed to consider as Accounting Officer, a further grant to the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) would not represent value for money. He also advised that there were broader issues, such as the economic impact consequent upon refusal of grant, which the Commissioners could take into account, but which he could not. On this basis, Commissioners were unanimous in deciding to award an additional grant of £29 million.
	Given the nature of Mike O'Connor's advice, the Millennium Commission followed the normal procedure in such circumstances and issued a direction which the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, acting as Chairman of the Millennium Commission, signed on behalf of the Commissioners. When such a direction is made, it is reported to the Comptroller and Auditor General. This has been done.

Millennium Dome Additional Funding: Direction

Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether a letter of direction was sent by the Permanent Secretary at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to the accounting officer to the Millennium Commission, Mr Mike O'Connor, on the release of £29 million to the New Millennium Experience Company; and whether the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport instructed the Permanent Secretary to issue such a letter.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) did not instruct the Permanent Secretary at DCMS to issue a letter of instruction to the accounting officer of the Millennium Commission, nor was any letter of instruction sent by the Permanent Secretary at DCMS on the release of £29 million to the New Millennium Experience Company. I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave today to the noble Baroness Lady Blatch.

Financial Services and Markets Bill: Amendments

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 24 May (WA 86), how many (a) government amendments and (b) non-government amendments were made to the Financial Services and Markets Bill.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Of the 1,469 government amendments tabled to the Financial Services and Markets Bill, 1,468 have been made. Of the 1,309 non-government amendments that have been tabled, 25 have been made.
	Six hundred and seventy-five amendments have been made in this House. This compares to the 582 amendments made in this House to the Financial Services Bill in 1986.

Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have any plans to review the system of appointments to the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee to give Parliament the opportunity to scrutinise the choices of the Treasury.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Arrangements for appointments to the MPC are set out in the Bank of England Act 1998. There are no plans to change the present system.

Development Council, 18 May

Lord Christopher: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the outcome of the Development Council held in Brussels on 18 May.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: In his opening statement at the Council, Development Commissioner Nielson made clear that the past record of EC development efforts was poor and that major improvement was needed if the strategic goal of EC development policy should in future be to combat poverty. He was committed to increasing the proportion of EC aid going to the poorest countries and to the poor in middle income countries, although he said that this was constrained by political priorities and the budget process. Mr Nielson thought that EC aid should focus on a limited number of areas where it could add most value, and that compatibility with internationally agreed strategies was vital. He said that a focal point would be set up in DG Development to analyse coherence between EC development policy and other EC policies affecting developing countries. Mr Nielson thought that the planned reform of EC aid management would increase the sense of responsibility within the Commission and improve the quality of programming.
	My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for International Development welcomed the focus on poverty, impact and effectiveness in EC aid. She said that ensuring coherent support for development across EC policy was vital and that it had improved since Seattle. She added that closer integration between development policy and the Common Foreign and Security Policy was needed, and that in a globalising world the EU could no longer only be concerned with the near abroad. She emphasised that reform needed to address issues such as the pressure which drove proposals for unjustified levels of EC funding for the Western Balkans. She said that a strategic and regularly updated action plan was now needed to implement the reform process. Subsequent annual reports, if they showed significant improvements in line with this plan, would give member states the confidence to reduce their control of individual EC projects. The Presidency concluded that discussion would continue, leading to the adoption by the next Development Council of a joint statement on EC development policy from the Council and the Commission, with the European Parliament involved in the process.
	At dinner, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State led the discussion on Sierra Leone. She said that the international community needed to be more willing to take risks to provide security, which was a prerequisite for development. She added that the UN had the moral authority to promote conflict resolution, but lacked the necessary tools to do so effectively. France and Italy praised the UK's action in bolstering the UNAMSIL operation. There was general agreement that the UN's credibility was at stake in Sierra Leone, that more support should be given to UN peacekeeping forces, that the whole approach to peacekeeping needed reviewing urgently and that Commission funds for the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration programme should be released more quickly in future. Discussion turned to Guinea Bissau, which the Presidency (Portugal) said now merited EU financial support. Finally, France described recent events and the constitutional reform debate in Côte d'Ivoire. It was agreed that the decision on whether or not to suspend EC aid would depend on the forthcoming Heads of Mission report.
	The Council adopted conclusions which recommended further improvements to operational co-ordination between the Commission and member states in developing countries. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State stressed the importance of wider co-ordination around poverty reduction strategy papers led by the partner countries. The Council then adopted three items without discussion. The UK supported the resolution on structural adjustment (budget and sector support for developing countries), which makes poverty reduction its ultimate objective and incorporates many examples of best practice. The UK also supported the procedural conclusions on integrating the environment and sustainable development into EC development policy, and in particular the link with poverty reduction and reinforcement of the importance of policy coherence. We are now keen to help devise a comprehensive strategy to implement these conclusions. The UK also supported the conclusions on HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, which call on the Commission to examine what else the EC could do to confront major poverty diseases.
	The Council followed up last year's evaluation of humanitarian aid by adopting a resolution which seeks to guide the Commission without micromanaging them. The proposal that the EC Humanitarian Office should add to its funding role by developing an emergency response capacity was not adopted; the UK view is that the case for this is not proven. This was followed by a discussion of conflict and crisis situations introduced by the Presidency, during which my right honourable friend reinforced her message on Sierra Leone. It was concluded that discussions on more rapid and effective instruments for conflict management should continue under the French Presidency.
	At lunch, Italy opened the discussion on Ethiopia and Eritrea. My right honourable friend, supported by most member states, observed that the moral low ground was alternating between the two countries and that we needed to act firmly now to help resolve the conflict. Belgium then argued for more assistance for Burundi. She said that we should back Nelson Mandela's efforts to facilitate the implementation of the Arusha Accords, including by holding a pledging conference, but added that it would be premature to consider budgetary assistance for Burundi at present. This line met with broad agreement. Denmark then underlined the importance of election monitoring in Zimbabwe. She noted that the land question was currently being used as a smokescreen for terror tactics against the opposition. The Council agreed that the UNDP exercise on land reform should not offer money which was additional to the offers of finance which had been on the table since 1998. My right honourable friend supported the call from Germany and the Netherlands for the Commission to speed up implementation of the European Development Fund contribution to the HIPC trust fund. Ireland introduced the issue of HIV/AIDS, which France said would be a priority for its Presidency. She noted that the cost of anti-retroviral drugs would remain prohibitive, even after the announcement by a major pharmaceutical company of a price reduction for developing countries. The Commission said that this issue would be addressed at the EU-US Summit in Lisbon.
	Under other business, the Presidency said that the outstanding differences between the Council and the European Parliament on the proposed environmental integration and tropical forest regulations would go to conciliation within the next few weeks. The Commission presented an information note on the Third UN Conference on Least Developed Countries in May 2001. Denmark presented a note on development aspects of the Sixth Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Climate Change in November.

Salmon Netting

Lord Taylor of Gryfe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What advice they have received from the Enviroment Agency on a possible extension of the salmon netting season in North East England.

Baroness Hayman: Following a debate in another place on 10 November 1999, the Government undertook to obtain advice from the Environment Agency on the implications of extending the salmon netting season by 20 days in north-east England. The Government emphasised that they would not wish to proceed with any measure that was not in the interests of salmon conservation. They also sought the agency's advice on whether additional measures were needed to conserve large salmon in river fisheries in the autumn, particularly in the North East.
	The Government have now received the agency's advice, which they have accepted. A copy is available in the Library of the House. In summary, the agency has adviced that such an extension would substantially increase the level of exploitation of both multi-sea-winter salmon and grilse and would not be in the interests of salmon conservation. The agency does not believe at present that there is an immediate need for further measures to restrict exploitation by either rods or nets in north-east England, and notes that half of the rod catch in north-east England in 1999 was released. Nevertheless, it will continue to keep the position under review.

GM Seed Planting Distances

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In the light of the recent genetically modified seed contamination incident, by what date they will publish the results of the promised review into safe planting distances.

Baroness Hayman: The Government plan to report with recommendations by 1 August. Further details of this review will be published shortly.

IACS Payments

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the current system for claiming Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) payments will continue for 2000–01; and, if not, when any changes to this system will be announced.

Baroness Hayman: In general, the current system for claiming aid payments linked to the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) will continue for 2000–01. As far as the specific issue of the eligibility of field margins for area-based payments is concerned, there is nothing further to add to the replies given to the noble Earl, Lord Caithness, on 6 April and 3 May 2000, Official Reports col. 147 and 182.

Freedom of Information Bill: Amendments

Lord Lucas: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the extended interval between the Second Reading and Committee stages of the Freedom of Information Bill will enable them to put down all government amendments to the Bill not less than one clear week before the first day in committee.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: It is the Government's intention that all their amendments for Committee stage of the Freedom of Information Bill will be tabled at least one week before the first day in Committee. The Government expect that most of their amendments will be tabled for Committee stage. But, subject to the progress of the Bill, the Government cannot rule out the need to table further amendments at later stages, though significant numbers of such amendments are not expected.

HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary: Report on Specialist Operations

Baroness Gibson of Market Rasen: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish the recommendations from the report by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary on Specialist operations.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: My honourable friend the Minister of State at the Home Office, Mr Clarke, has today placed in the Library a note of the recommendations from the report, together with responses by the Commissioners and comments by my right honourable friend the Home Secretary in his capacity as police authority for the Metropolitan Police Service. The Metropolitan Police have accepted all 12 recommendations in the report. From 3 July, it will be the responsibility of the new Metropolitan Police Authority to monitor progress on implementation of the recommendations.

Firearms Act 1968: Issue of Permits under Section 7(1)

The Earl Of Shrewsbury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the police should issue a permit under Section 7(1) of the Firearms Act 1968 where an application for renewal of a firearms or shotgun certificate has been submitted in good time, but where the issue of the certificate is delayed beyond the expiry date of the existing certificate.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The decision as to whether or not to issue a permit in these circumstances is in law a matter for the discretion of the chief officer of police of the area concerned.
	Home Office guidance to the police for many years on the issue of such permits is that they are intended primarily for use in cases where the issue of a firearm or shotgun certificate is not considered appropriate. This might, for example, be to allow for the temporary possession of an inherited firearm prior to its disposal. We would be reluctant to encourage chief officers to issue temporary permits in circumstances where full certificates, with their attendant background checks and conditions, would be more appropriate.

Law of Disclosure

Lord Hunt of Wirral: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Burlison on 6 May (WA 117-118), what plans they now have to review the laws of disclosure following the changes introduced in April 1997 by the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: As part of its general responsibility to evaluate new legislation, the Government have commissioned an independent research study to evaluate all aspects of the working of the disclosure provisions. The study, which began in January 2000, is expected to be completed in 12 months.

Offenders Serving Community Sentences: Return to Court

Lord Christopher: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many of the 28,000 offenders serving community sentences in England and Wales who were returned to court in 1998 appeared in court within:
	(a) 1 week;
	(b) more than 1 week but within 2 weeks;
	(c) more than 2 weeks but within 3 weeks;
	(d) more than 3 weeks but within 4 weeks;
	(e) more than 4 weeks but within 5 weeks;
	(f) more than 5 weeks but within 6 weeks;
	(g) more than 6 weeks but within 7 weeks;
	(h) more than 7 weeks but within 8 weeks;
	(i) more than 8 weeks but within 9 weeks;
	(j) within more than 9 weeks
	of the Probation Service decision; and whether they will give the corresponding data for 1999.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The information is not available.

Export of Human Tissues

Lord Lucas: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether human body parts such as skin, tendons, heart valves, bones and dura mater are exported from the United Kingdom; and, if so, from where these originate, with what safeguards, to what annual value, and who receives this value.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Tissue banks within the National Health Service collect material in accordance with the Human Tissue Act 1961 and in compliance with the Committee on Microbiological Safety of Blood and Tissues for Transplantation's "Guidance on the microbiological safety of human tissues and organs used in transplantation". Priority is given to supplying the NHS, but some excess human tissues, for example skin and heart valves, may be exported to recognised medical institutions on a cost recovery basis. Details about the export of tissues are not held centrally.
	Commercial dealing in human organs and tissues is prohibited by law (the Human Organ Transplant Act (1989)).
	Dura mater is no longer used or banked by the NHS.

Medicines: Prescription by Pharmacists

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to legislate to enable pharmacists to prescribe medicines, in certain carefully controlled circumstances, thus giving patients a greater incentive to consult the local chemist; and whether the expertise of community pharmacists would be of local benefit in these circumstances.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: In a press statement issued on 13 March 2000, we announced our decision to implement the main recommendations of the Review of Prescribing, Supply and Administration of Medicines. Copies of the statement are available in the Library.
	We will put forward legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows to permit supplementary prescribing by other health professionals (for example, pharmacists) and, subject to the successful development of supplementary prescribing, subsequently to step this up to full independent prescribing. We believe that this can help to improve services for patients and make better use of the skills of a range of professions.

Dietary Supplements: Proposed Directive

Earl Baldwin of Bewdley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their policy towards the recent European Commission's proposed Directive on Food Supplements; with whom they intend to consult about its provisions; and whether they intend to take steps in future discussions on it to ensure customers' right of access to higher potency vitamin and mineral supplements, and to ensure that decisions on this are taken on the basis of upper safe levels and not population reference intakes; and
	In regard to the European Commission's proposed Directive on Food Supplements, what steps they intend to take to ensure that the limited list of approved nutrients which it puts forward is extended further before being enacted to include all those vitamins and minerals which are currently available on general retail sale under food law in the United Kingdom; and whether they will press for amendments to provide for the speedy future addition of nutrients to the permitted list; and
	Whether they have sought clarification as to whether the European Commission's proposed Directive on Food Supplements is intended to prohibit, or will have the effect of prohibiting, the sale as food supplements of products which contain nutrients other than vitamins and minerals.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We have been advised by the Food Standards Agency that the text of the proposed directive on dietary supplements has been circulated for comment to interested parties, including consumer groups, enforcement authorities, manufacturers and retailers. When detailed views are known, the United Kingdom will seek any necessary clarifications and amendments. In the meantime we are taking every opportunity to press the case for arrangements which protect public health but do not restrict unnecessarily the range of products available to consumers. We believe that limits on the levels of vitamins and minerals in dietary supplements should only be set where necessary and should be based on safety considerations. The Food Standards Agency is taking every opportunity to promote this view in discussions with the European Commission and other member states.